AGPAT6 polymorphism and its association with milk traits of dairy goats

Abstract

ABSTRACT. As one of the eight members in the 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate-O-acyltransferase (AGPATs) family, AGPAT6 is a crucial enzyme for the biosynthesis of glycerolipids and triacylglycerol in eukaryotes, as well as catalyzing the conversion from lysophosphatidic acid to phosphatidic acid. AGPAT6 can be considered as a candidate gene for regulating milk composition. DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP methods were applied to detect genetic variation in the AGPAT6 gene in 549 Chinese dairy goats. Four polymorphisms (NC_007328.3:g.152G>C, 8124G>A, 9263C>G, 16436G>A) were detected in 5'UTR, intron 2, exon 4, and 3'UTR, respectively. For the KpnΙ locus, the frequencies of the AGPAT6-G allele were 0.955 and 0.936 for SN (Xinong Sannen) and GZ (Guanzhong) dairy goat breeds, respectively. In the PCR-RFLP analysis for KpnΙ, EcoRII, NcoΙ, and BglΙ, the frequencies of the G allele of AGPAT6 were 0.955 and 0.936, 0.694 and 0.819, 0.206 and 0.254, 0.729 and 0.623 for SN and GZ dairy goat breeds, respectively. The 9263C>G mutation revealed a synonymous genetic code of Thr (threonine). Associations between the four mutations and milk traits were analyzed in two dairy goat breeds. At the 9263C>G locus, genotype GG and CG individuals showed significantly better milk performance than genotype CC individuals (P < 0.05). Therefore, the G allele is suggested to be a molecular marker for milk production in dairy goats.

Lysophospholipid acyltransferases

“…Agpat6 À/À mice have a minimal phenotype: they showed reduced subdermal adipose tissue and had a defect in TAG production in mammary epithelium (gland) [26,27]. Further studies showed that AGPAT6 is the most abundant isoform in the mammary glands of lactating cows [28] and were substantiated by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in Dutch dairy cattle [29], which has also been associated with milk traits in dairy goats [30]. The increased TAG in milk is attributed to increased expression of AGPAT6 which generates precursors for TAG synthesis.…”

Go with the flow—biology and genetics of the lactation cycle

“…Genes like the BDNF , FTO , or IGF1 impact upon food intake and thus nutrient and energy availability (Mullen et al, 2011 ; Zielke et al, 2011 , 2013 ; Waters et al, 2012 ). Other genes such as GHR , PRLR , or SPP1 affect growth, proliferation, and apoptosis of cells (Viitala et al, 2006 ; Khatib et al, 2007 ; Banos et al, 2008 ; Lu et al, 2011a ; Rahmatalla et al, 2011 ), whilst DGAT1 and AGPAT6 are involved directly in triglyceride synthesis (Winter et al, 2002 ; Bionaz and Loor, 2008a ; Strucken et al, 2010a ; He et al, 2011 ). Of further note are the casein genes which encode the major fraction of milk proteins (Velmala et al, 1995 ).…”

A Candidate Gene Association Study for Economically Important Traits in Czech Dairy Goat Breeds

“…Additionally, other gene polymorphisms in goats are studied. For example, the AGPAT6 gene was found to significantly influence both the fat and protein contents and milk yield [ 53 ]. Additionally, the variability of the haplotypic sequences at the loci of the casein complex was studied [ 15 ].…”